May 1, 2011 Published ~ 7 years ago.

Street in Ishinomaki largely cleared up with the exception of a boat brought inland by the tsunami

According to the World Bank, Japan may take up to five years to rebuild from the recent catastrophic earthquake and tsunami, which is estimated to caused up to US$235 billion of damages. This may be a somewhat pessimistic picture as the 2005 Kobe earthquake episode may suggest that Japan’s strong institutions, advanced economy, ample human capital and strong national spirit will enable it to rebound relatively quickly.

On 17 January 1995, the city of Kobe (population 1.5 million then) was stuck by a 6.8 magnitude earthquake. Although very much less powerful that then 2011 Tōhoku earthquake, the Kobe earthquake occurred at only 20 kilometers (12 miles) away from Kobe City at a very shallow depth of just 16 kilometers (10 miles). Despite it lasting only 20 seconds, the Kobe earthquake took a total of 6,434 lives, and cause approximately $100 billion of damage, including the collapse of about 200,000 buildings and massive destruction to Kobe Port (sixth largest port in the world then).

Back then, the prognosis by so-called experts was that Kobe City could take 10 years to rebuild and recover. However, in only 15 months, Kobe’s manufacturing had recovered to 98 per cent of pre-earthquake capability and exports were back up to 85%. Furthermore, imports reached its pre-disaster levels and 80% of shops were reopened for business.

Kobe at dusk

View of Kobe Habor

Sendai Airport Re-opens

On 13 April, just a month after the 11 March disaster, Sendai Airport reopens to its first commercial flight. The tsunami had previously turned the airport into a swamp of debris and authorities had consigned it as a total loss. Nevertheless, the US military was determined to recover the airport, deeming it a crucial step to not only restore basic infrastructure in the region, but a greater need to send a message of hope to its people.

Clearing and repairing of Sendai Airport led by US military

US military camp established at Sendai Airport

US as well as troops from Japan Self Defense Force sleep in a male berthing at Camp Sendai

JAL's first flight from Haneda Airport in Tokyo touching touching down at Sendai Airport

The message "Let's get through this, Japan" was written on the side of the Boeing 737

Transportation providers hold signs outside the terminal of Sendai Airport after the arrival of the first flight from Tokyo

The first flight in a 165-seat Boeing 737 by JAL was 90% full. On board were a number of crews from Japan’s major media outlet as well as businessmen. Each passenger was given handwritten notes that says “Let’s go, Japan” along with a piece of candy and a folded miniature crane. It landed safely in Sendai Airport just after 8 am local time where airport staff provided each passenger with a cookie and another handwritten welcome note. While this is a victory of the human spirit, signs of devastation were still apparent. A large portion of the road leading up the airport was still submerged in water and mangled cars can be seen strewn across the parking lot.

JAP and ANA will both provide 5 daily roundtrip flights from Tokyo. JAL will also offer two roundtrip flights between Sendai and Osaka

Resumption of Shinkansen service between Tokyo and Sendai

Japan’s proud launch of its new Hayabusa bullet train (see earlier posting) on 5 March was unceremoniously interrupted by its biggest recorded earthquake 6 days later. According to JR East, it found about 1,200 instances of damage along the full length of the Tokyo- Tōhoku track as the earthquake mangled rail tracks, cracked bridges and destroyed electrical cables. JR East quickly deployed over 8,500 engineers and by 18 April, reported that 85% of the troubled spots were repaired.

First shinkansen pulling into Sendai terminal on route to Tokyo

On 25 April, only 7 weeks after the disaster, JR East restored shinkansen service between Tokyo and Sendai. By 29 April, the Sendai to Ichinoseki track was ready for operation, while the final stretch to Shin-Aomori is expected to be ready by early May. As a symbol of Tōhoku’s recovery, the new Hayabusa bullet train will run round trips between Shin-Aomori and Tokyo, and Sendai and Tokyo once per day. A portion of the train’s lxury “Gran Class” ticket (5,000 yen, or the equivalent of US$60) will be donated to the disaster victims.

Disneyland re-opens

On15 April 2011, Tokyo Disneyland Resort, billed as the happiest place on earth, re-opened to great fanfare. The park, which was built on reclaimed land, had been closed since the earthquake due to soil liquefaction (a phenomenal whereby soil loses strength and stiffness due to stress such as those from an earthquake, turning it into a liquid-like substance), minor structural damage and electricity shortage. Up to 69,000 visitors were in the park when the earthquake struck, and 30,000 of them had to stay overnight at the park as the trains were out of commission.

Liquefaction at Tokyo Disneyland's carpark

Structural damage to beams at Tokyo Disneyland

Visitors lined up as early as the previous night for the park's re-opening, where a host of Disney characters welcomed more than 10,000 visitors when the gates were opened at 8am. Visitors were also treated to a colorful musical parade of floats as part of the celebrations.

Thousands of visitors making their way into Tokyo Disneyland

Visitors captivated by the musical parage

Micky and Minne greeting visitors

Till 14 May, Tokyo Disneyland will donate 300 yen ($3.60) to the JApanese Red Cross for the benefit of earthquake and tsunami victims. The park will also operate during daylight hours so as to conserve energy.